Mental health nursing worksheet with answers

A person who has strong hostile feelings towards a neighbour is excessively friendly and generous to him. Which defence mechanism is this?

1. AReaction formation
2. BCompensation
3. CDenial
4. DDisplacement

In a mental status examination, what is the difference between mood and affect?

1. AMood is what the nurse observes in the patient; affect is what the patient reports feeling
2. BMood is what the patient reports feeling; affect is the emotion the nurse observes
3. CMood and affect mean exactly the same thing
4. DMood describes thinking; affect describes memory

A nurse suspects that a child is being abused but has no proof. What is the nurse's responsibility?

1. AWait until there is clear proof before telling anyone
2. BInvestigate the family alone at home before reporting
3. CConfront the parents and ask them directly whether they hurt the child
4. DReport the concern according to child protection procedures

A patient who has started chlorpromazine feels dizzy when she gets out of bed. What should the nurse teach her?

1. ASit on the edge of the bed for a moment and then stand up slowly
2. BGet up quickly to get the blood flowing to the brain
3. CStop the medicine if the dizziness happens more than once
4. DDrink a cup of strong coffee before getting out of bed each morning

An 86-year-old nursing home resident becomes acutely confused over two days. Which cause should be considered first?

1. AA first episode of schizophrenia caused by moving into the home
2. BA sudden onset of Alzheimer's disease
3. CAn infection such as a urinary tract infection, or a medicine side effect
4. DThe normal ageing process

How does memantine work in Alzheimer's disease?

1. AIt blocks NMDA glutamate receptors
2. BIt increases serotonin by blocking its reuptake
3. CIt inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine
4. DIt blocks dopamine D₂ receptors

A patient being treated for opioid dependence is about to receive his first dose of buprenorphine. He last used heroin 2 hours ago. What is the risk?

1. ABuprenorphine can cause precipitated withdrawal if given while full agonists are still active
2. BThere is no risk; it should be given at once
3. CBuprenorphine will have no effect at all
4. DBuprenorphine will add to the heroin and cause a dangerous opioid overdose with respiratory depression

A patient says the voices are telling him to hurt his roommate. What should the nurse do first?

1. ATell him the voices are not real and leave
2. BAsk more about what the voices say and whether he feels he must obey, and ensure the safety of others
3. CMove the roommate without telling anyone why
4. DIgnore it, because command hallucinations are common in schizophrenia and patients rarely act on them